Thomas Partey’s Debut with Villarreal
In a significant moment for both Thomas Partey and Villarreal, the former Arsenal and Atlético Madrid midfielder made his debut for the Yellow Submarine during their LaLiga opener, which concluded with a 2-0 victory over a ten-man Real Oviedo. This match, played in Villarreal, saw Partey enter the field as a substitute in the 82nd minute, replacing Santi Comesaña.
Mixed Reactions and Legal Troubles
Reactions from the crowd were mixed, reflecting the complexity of his recent legal troubles, which include serious charges of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault; he has denied all allegations and was released on conditional bail from Westminster Magistrates’ Court last week.
Match Highlights
Partey joined Villarreal in August after his contract with Arsenal expired in June, looking to rejuvenate his career amid controversy. During this encounter, Oviedo started well but squandered a promising opportunity when their veteran striker Salomón Rondón missed a penalty, saved by Villarreal’s Luiz Júnior early in the game.
Challenges mounted for Real Oviedo when defender Alberto Reina received a second yellow card, reducing them to ten players. This shift in dynamics allowed Villarreal to capitalize, as Etta Eyong scored just two minutes following the red card, with Pape Gueye adding a second goal before half-time, sealing the win for Villarreal.
Other LaLiga Matches
Earlier in the LaLiga season’s kickoff, Rayo Vallecano faced Girona, overcoming the latter 3-1, despite Girona’s Paulo Gazzaniga receiving a straight red just before halftime for a foul in the box. Isi Palazón‘s penalty conversion paved the way for Rayo’s lead, while Girona’s Joel Roca managed a late consolation goal. Girona’s coach, Miguel Ángel Sánchez, pointed to team mistakes as pivotal, framing them as unfortunate accidents.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, defending champions Barcelona will open their season against Mallorca on Saturday, while Atlético Madrid visits Espanyol on Sunday, and Real Madrid is set to host Osasuna on Tuesday.
